The AVA Season & Tournament Structure
July 27, 2026 AVA
How the AVA Season Works
The AVA season runs from January 1 to December 31. At every event, athletes earn Placement Points based on where they finish on the podium. Those points accumulate across the entire season and count toward your individual ranking and toward your academy’s overall standing.
When the season closes, the rankings are finalized. In every division, the top 3 athletes of the season are recognized for their standing — that’s the standard reward across the board.
Athletes in the Rise, Legendary, and Throne Title Qualifiers are on the title track, and their final season ranking decides who earns an invitation to THRONE — AVA’s invitational event where the Rise, Legendary, and Throne Belt Titles are claimed.
Placement Points from any event are reduced by 50% one year after the event date and expire completely after two years after the event date. Rankings reward athletes who keep showing up and keep competing.
Submission Grappling Tournament Tiers
AVA tournaments are organized into tiers, and each tier applies a Placement Point multiplier.
- CENTRAL — Cities Series: 1x PP
- REGIONAL — Provincial/State Series: 2x PP
- COMPASS — Cardinal Series: 3x PP
- LEGACY — Generational Series (Origins & Legends): 3x PP
- ULTRA — Season Finale: 4x PP
Match Points: How Wins Are Scored
Within your division group, placement is determined by Match Points — earned every time you win a match. How you win matters. AVA rewards finishing.
- Win by Submission (Regulation): 4 MP
- Win by Submission (Overtime): 2 MP
- Win by Fastest Escape / Referee Decision (Overtime): 1 MP
- Win by Walkover (no-show, injury, or withdrawal): 2 MP
- Win by Disqualification: 3 MP
A submission in regulation is worth the most.
Match Duration by Age and Belt
Every match begins in Regulation Time. If no result is reached, it goes to Overtime, where each athlete gets one minute to attack from an approved position. Match length scales with age and experience:
- Age 4–6: 4 min max — 2 min regulation, 2 min overtime
- Age 7–15: 5 min max — 3 min regulation, 2 min overtime
- Age 16–17: 6 min max — 4 min regulation, 2 min overtime
- Age 18+ (White / Blue): 6 min max — 4 min regulation, 2 min overtime
- Age 18+ (Purple / Brown / Black), Legendary & Throne Title Qualifiers: 7 min max — 5 min regulation, 2 min overtime
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the AVA season? The AVA season runs from January 1 to December 31. Placement Points earned at events throughout the year accumulate toward both individual and academy rankings.
How do you qualify for THRONE? You must rank inside a qualifier division to get the invite.
What are Placement Points in AVA? Placement Points are awarded for podium finishes — 10 for gold, 4 for silver, 2 for bronze — then multiplied by the tournament tier (1x to 4x). They determine individual and academy season rankings.
What’s the difference between Match Points and Placement Points? Match Points are earned by winning matches and decide your placement within a division group at a single event. Placement Points are earned by finishing on the podium and count toward your season-long ranking.
Do AVA points expire? Yes. Placement Points are reduced by 50% one year after the event date and expire completely after two years, so consistent competition matters.
Which AVA tournament is worth the most points? ULTRA, the Season Finale, carries a 4x Placement Point multiplier — the highest of any tier — making it the most valuable event on the calendar.